Redlands businesses participate in Where’s Waldo contest

The children’s book character in the striped shirt and black-rimmed specs is visiting 25 businesses throughout Redlands. Those who spot him can win prizes, including buttons and book coupons.

This year, Waldo’s dog Woof will also be hidden at local businesses including Star Tulip Stuffies, Sweet Memories, Augie’s Coffee House and a la minute.

Those who want to participate can pick up a “Find Waldo Local in Redlands!” passport with the names of all the local businesses where Waldo is hiding at the Frugal Frigate children’s bookstore, 9 N. Sixth St., Redlands. This is the second year the Frugal Frigate has sponsored the Where’s Waldo contest in Redlands.

Participants will get their passports stamped or signed for each Waldo they spot. The first 100 Waldo seekers to get their passports stamped or signed at 10 or more sites can bring their passports back to the Frugal Frigate to collect prizes.

Collecting store stamps or signatures at 20 or more businesses will entitle seekers to enter in a grand prize drawing to be held July 31, with the top prize being a six-volume deluxe set of Waldo books.

Where’s Waldo is the creation of Martin Handford, whose drawings of crowd scenes swept the world in the late 1980s. There are now more than 61 million Waldo books in print worldwide and they have been translated into more than 30 languages.

In celebration of Waldo’s longevity and popularity, his American publisher, Candlewick Press, is once again teaming up with the American Booksellers Association and 250 independent bookstores cross the country, including the Frugal Frigate in Redlands, for some hide-and-seek fun and to encourage people to patronize their local businesses.

There is no charge to participate, and the hunt lasts through the end of July.

For information about hunting for Waldo and Woof in Redlands, call the Frugal Frigate at 909-793-0740 or visit www.frugalfrigate.com .